Category Archives: Media

We’ve been conditioned to believe that ‘winner takes all’ and ‘if I have money/fame, THEN I’ll be secure, I’ll have friends/be popular, have meaning and feel accomplishment in my life’.

This video leaves with a question at the end. I would add an additional question:

What do I have in abundance?

Often we don’t see our own abilities as worthwhile/abundant because they’re not reflected back as valued in society. As we wrestle with personal values and the simple things that sustain us – quietly sharing the things we DO have in abundance – the result is joy. Appreciating what we have begins by not judging ourselves that we aren’t rich/famous/thin/successful enough. At first our personal abundance may look silly or useless, but sit with the tiny simplicity of it, and it may take on a life of its own, crafting a way to bring joy not just to us but to others.

Here’s an example of a simple abundance from my own life.

Our house breeds clothes. When the kids were small I set up a clothes and stuff swap for entertainment in our home. We moved what we wanted to other rooms, and set up marked areas with signage so guests would know where to place their unwanted things for swapping.

It was hoot! Fun was had by all as friends and family brought over things they didn’t need and we socialized and swapped. The kids pretty much stayed in the toy room and found new toys to take home, the parents socialized and found things we needed, I was able to clear out clutter we didn’t need anymore and found things we could use. I found a creative and socially fun use for my abundance. It brought me joy.

My abundance (clothes and stuff that seems to breed in the attic) wasn’t money, or fame, or power. It was ‘just’ clothes and stuff. It was something simple. I started looking for ways to be creative with what I saw as my abundance.

To make a long story short, after years of experimenting I created Swap Positive– started with the simple abundance of extra clothes.

Sharing abundance gives joy.

What do you have extra in your life? What do you have a lot of? What is your abundance? Are you someone who can’t wipe the smile off your face? Do you have way too many empty toilet paper tubes? Do you get a thrill from constantly holding babies? If you give away your extra, what kind of joy will you bring to yourself and to others? If you smile at people it could make a positive difference in their day. Maybe a local preschool would love those toilet paper tubes for the ongoing projects they have, and appreciate your steady supply? A hospital might need someone to hold premie newborns, or a church/school/clinic nursery might appreciate your skills so young mothers can get a short refreshing breather. What you see as ‘not really anything’, or maybe even feel guilty about, might be what you have in abundance. Realizing and using your abundance creatively could make all the difference in how you see yourself and your place in this world. Being rich, famous, and powerful doesn’t bring joy, but maybe having too many toilet paper tubes or egg cartons might be the beginning of a new chapter of joy and giving in your life?

Don’t throw away your disposable silverware – eat it! This innovative ‘silverware’ is a food item that is baked, and comes in various flavors to go with whatever you are eating – sweet, savory, etc. Disposable environmentally destructive plastic was ‘innovative’ in it’s day, but we’ve learned now that it’s harmful to the planet and to our health. With todays technology and understanding we can do better! (Plus the edible cutlery is nutritious and delicious according to those who’ve tried it.) What a great new business model.

The above story is from The Better India a news source featuring innovation for positive and practical change. I’ve just discovered it and bookmarked it. Good stuff!

Jerry the Bear is an interactive teaching tool for kids with type 1 diabetes. The bear needs the same thing a child does: checking blood sugar levels, choices on what to eat, and even helping kids master their medical procedures through play.

To learn more about Jerry the Bear, click here. If you don’t know a child with type 1 diabetes, you can still play a part in helping those who do here.

Origami algorithms are being used to create medical implants and space telescopes. I wonder if origami algorithms might be used to create the build-a-building, using plastic, wood, and mesh sheets that can be folded differently to create different shaped useful small buildings? Learn more about this amazing new technology that combines art, science, and history in this Ted Talk.

Ikea is developing a prototype of refugee shelter that is easy to put together, is insulated, has a solar light so people can cook/sew/do homework when it gets dark, and other simple yet practical features.

Ikea is getting feedback from refugees to improve upon the concept before they roll out the final design. They also plan to include a system of health care, education, and more so refugee families can not only get stabilized physically, but get all members of a family back on their feet in body/mind/spirit as quickly and respectfully as possible.

The Good News Network was started by Geri Weis-Corbley in 1997, and I’ve enjoyed the little encouraging stories sent to my email inbox for many years. Recently the Good News Network went through a transformation, and is now a free and easily navigated news service. The insight and direction of Geri’s work and attitude are cutting edge cultural creative. Check out more information about what she’s doing, why, the history, how you can get involved by sending in your own stories, and more here. Now you can start and end your day with GOOD news from the Good News Network – rated #1 on Google.